Events for April 4, 2025
First Friday is celebrated on the first Friday of each month throughout Downtown Raleigh to showcase the best of our city's creative community. Thousands venture downtown to visit art galleries & studios open late to host exhibits, artist talks, and creative activities. Retailers and restaurants also get in on the fun with live music, vendor markets, specials/discounts, and more. There's something for everyone each First Friday.
Create your own First Friday itinerary by selecting the hearts for events and experiences you don't want to miss. Receive a custom map and itinerary to guide your First Friday evening!
"Kaleidoscope" explores the diverse and multifaceted expressions of autistic artists, each piece offering a glimpse into their distinct worlds. From vivid paintings and mixed media work to a captivating Origami tessellation, each piece is a testament to the artists' exceptional ability to perceive and interpret the world around them, transforming everyday experiences into extraordinary visual narratives.
Join us for free at CAM Raleigh for fresh art, good tunes, and great vibes! We always have something new to explore.
Join us on April 4th anytime from 6-9pm for our monthly First Friday celebration!
This event is free to attend and all are welcome 🙂
Halima, or Vaseyourfears, hand sculpts and paints one of a kind charms and other pottery. She will have a charm bar set up with charm + chain options to make your own necklace, bracelet, etc. A portion of her work is donated to the IOCDF, OCDNC, and Not Alone Notes.
We will have complimentary drinks to sip while you shop and hang out with us!
The downtown First Friday market will be back in front of The Raleigh Times with live music, local artists, and great food options. All of our local business neighbors stay open late and have something special going on, so make sure to pop in the other shops.
We cant wait to see you there!
15 W Hargett St., Raleigh, NC
Celebrate Raleigh's First Friday with a unique make-and-take event! Drop-in anytime between 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Designed For Joy studio in downtown Raleigh to create your very own Raleigh Acorn Bell—a charming keepsake that symbolizes our "City of Oaks."
Submissions are OPEN for our April show, Estuary! Estuaries are places of transition, where rivers meet the sea, where ecosystems intertwine, where life flourishes in balance. Estuary is an exhibition that explores the intersection of creativity and climate action, bringing together artists and designers who challenge, document, and reimagine our relationship with the environment. In collaboration with the Sustainability Stewards, we pose the question: Can design be both a witness and a catalyst for ecological restoration?
ARTISTS/DESIGNERS: Do you have work that involves the natural world or themes of justice and nature? Submit!!
Submissions are due by Tuesday, April 1st. The art drop-off day will be that Thursday, April 3rd.
Estuary will be Friday, April 4th, from 6-11 PM at our downtown gallery space, 133 Fayetteville St!
Join us for an evening at Joy Worthy Co. that celebrates the creativity of North Carolina's local artists and businesses.
This event will showcase a diverse array of talent, including visual artists, apparel, candles, and more!
Join Le Dive and Old Ghosts Tattoo for a unique experience every First Friday in Raleigh! Le Dive, teams up with Old Ghosts Tattoo for an exciting night of flash tattoos, good vibes, drinks and food and creative energy!
Join us every First Friday of the Month for a fun-filled Ladies Night at The Merchant! Gather your friends and unwind with a special evening designed just for you. Enjoy exclusive access to our Ladies Night Menu, featuring refreshing and playful cocktails in every shade of pink, from bubbly spritzers to fruity concoctions. Special offers, upbeat music, and an unforgettable vibe make it a night you won't want to miss! Come relax, mingle, and enjoy a glamorous night with the best company in town!
Join us for this Free family night out in Downtown Raleigh. Bring a blanket or chair to relax on the lawn for the movie, grab a bite from the food trucks and explore the market!
This outdoor movie night will feature:
🔸FREE outdoor movie: Wall-E (2008)
🔸Food trucks
🔸Local vendors' market
🔸Free field games for all ages
Event Info:
🔹Market & Food Trucks: 5 - 9 pm
🔹Live Music: 5:30 pm
🔹Free Movie on the Lawn: 7:30pm
This event is presented by a collaboration of Get2KnowRaleigh and Raleigh Parks team at Moore Square. We thank our sponsor, Downtown Raleigh Alliance, for supporting the April event.
Note: The lawn fills up quickly for the movie. Arrive early to secure your spot!
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First Friday at origami styling is kicking off one hour early with even more vintage for you to discover! Come out for Vintage with Friends and shop the store's selection of vintage for men, women, kids and home along with additional curated racks from Syd's Closet and Old Boy Blue Vintage. As always, enjoy a complimentary beverage while you shop from 5-8! See you there.
Bring your own project or start a new one at the studio. This is a casual, no pressure gathering for crafters of all levels.